Refrigerator car construction



Aug. 10, 1943. K. E. zElDLl-:R

'REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 2,'1940 3 sheets-sheet 2 :fkim, /,ES

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K. E. ZEIDLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 REFRIGERATQR CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug.2, 194C 9s /o/) [le n// /f/f// f,

Aug. 10, 1943.

Patented Aug.. 10, 1943 TES l orrilc REFRGERTOR CAR CONSTRUCTIONApplication August 2, 1940, Serial No: 349,727

Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator cars used to transport perishablecommodities at a prede- I termined temperature. The essential featuresof a refrigerator car are an insulated body to prevent retard ingress ofheat during warm weather and egress of heat during cold weather, and acooling means and a heating means to be used during Warm and coldweather respectively.

The insulation commonly used in a refrigerator car is usually made inblanket form, which blanket may be a sack of large area and relativelysmall thickness filled with a loose material, or the insulation may haveinherent qualities which in themselves form a blanket ci the insulation.The essential characteristic of all types of such insulation is itsporosity; in other words, the insulation forms a very large number ofminute air spaces which are separated from each other by the bres or"the insulation. In the attachment of such insulation to the carstructure, it is usually squeezed cr compressed between two rigidmembers to form a solid mass, thereby collapsing the air spaces anddestroying, to a very great extent, the insulating qualities of thematerial. Such materials as kapok, wh-ich is sold under the trade nameof Dry Zero; hair felt, which is a form of animal hair woven into ablanket form; or spun glass, sometimes called glass Wool, are commonmaterials used in insulating refrigerator cars.

The walls of refrigerator cars usually have insulation of a thicknesswhich varies from 2" to 6", the insulation often being provided in twoor more blankets disposed in latwise relation to each other and inintimate contact. The usual and common construction involves framingmembers of the refrigerator car and cleats secured to the framingmembers and arranged to -compress the insulation blanket or blanketsbetween the framing members and the cleats. Where two or more blanketsare used, it is common to attach all the blankets with the same cleat,thereby destroying the insulating qualities of the blankets andproviding a path for heat ilow from one side of the wall to the other.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a means for mounting theinsulation blankets, which means is arranged to compress each blanket ata location remote from the compressed part of the adjacent blanket. Ithereby eliminate `compressing both blankets at the same point,

and consequently greatly reduce heat flow through the wall.

Another object is to arrange the above described mounting means so thateach blanket may be conveniently and easily mounted within the car.

The accompanying drawings show my inven tion adapted for use in arefrigerator car wherein the refrigerant containers are disposed belowthe roof and above the lading compartment of the car. It is to beunderstood that .l do not limit my invention to such a car, but intendthat it may be used in the roof, floor, doors. walls, etc., of any typeof structure in which it is desirable to retard iiow of heat through thewalls.

In the drawings: p

Fig. l is a partial transverse section oi' a refrigerator car embodyingmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan section taken on line 2 2 Fie. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig.

Fig. fi is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig.

Figs. 5, 6, and 8 are views similar to Fig. showing modified forms ofthe invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan section through the wall of a refrigerator car showinga modied form of my invention.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section thrOugh a car adjacent the 'side plateshowing a modified means to mount the insulation.

Fig. 11 is a plan section on line ll-H of Fig. 10.

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Figs. 12 and 13 are views similar to Fig. 3 show' ing modied forms ofthe invention.

The general parts of the refrigerator car shown are insulated roof A;side wall B; floor D; refrigerant containers E; hatch F for loadingrefrigerant into a container E; side wall flue G; foraminous floor rackH and space J between the rack I-I and the :door D. A refrigerantcontainer E is positioned directly below the rooi A and adjacent a sidewall B. A drip pan K is provided below the container E and a partition Lis disposed in an upstanding position at the edge of the drip pan K. Thedrip pan K and the partition L cooperate with the roof A and the upperpart of the side wall B to form an enclosure M around the container E,an air inlet opening N to the enclosure M `being provided by spacing thepartition L from the roof A. An air discharge opening leads from theenclosure M to the flue G at a lower elevation than the air inletopening N. Cars of this type commonly have a row of refrigerantcontainers E near each side walllB, which containers are spaced apart atthe center of the car. The partitions L are also spaced apart to form aduct Q which communicates between the lading compartment R and openingsN.

Air circulation is as follows: Air in the lading compartment R is warmedby contact with the lading and rises ti. rough the duct Q to enter theenclosing structures M through the air inlet openings N. The air is thencooled by contact with the cold refrigerant containers E and falls byreason of its lower temperature and therefore greater density throughthe ilues G to the space J whence it rises through the rack H to thelading l compartment R. The above described cycle is thereaftercontinuously repeated.

In the car shown in Fig. l, the wall B is comprised of an outer sidesill 2, an outer side plate 3 and outer posts 5 extending therebetweenand secured thereto. I preferably provide inner posts 5 spaced inwardlyfrom the outer posts 5 and supported adjacent the upper and lower partsof the car, preferably by the means disclosed in my co-pendingapplication led April 6, 1940, Serial No. 328,203. The outer sheathing8, which in the form shown is metallic. extends between and is securedto the outer sill 2, plate 3 and posts 5. Metallic sheets 9 are securedto the inner posts 6 and lining I I, preferably wood, is also secured tothe inner posts B in atwise relation with the sheets 9. The sheets 9preferably have outwardly projecting panels I2 which form, incombination with the lining I I, the ues G for air circulation.Insulation I4 is disposed between the sheathing 8 and the sheets 9.

The insulation Ill for the wall B of the car shown in Figs. 1 4 isprovided by inner (I1) and outer (I8) blankets. Thesupporting member 2|?for mounting the blankets has a cleating part 2|, which in the formshown is a wooden block 23, disposed between the blankets I1, I8 andsecured to an outer post 5 by bolts 24, thereby compressing the outerblanket I8 between the cleating part 2| and the outer post 5 andproviding a support for the blanket I8. The supporting member 28 alsocomprises a supporting part 26. which in the form shown is a rod 21,arranged to depend a substantial distance below the cleating part 2| andto be supported by a pointed hook 29 formed on the upper end thereof andinserted into the cleating part 2| The lower end of the rod 21 is bent(30) inwardly and inserted through the inner insulation blanket I1. Thebent part 30 of the rod 21 may be threaded; washers 3|, 33 and a nut 34may be fitted upon the rod and adapted to compress the inner blanket |1therebetween, thereby providing a support therefor. The end of the bentpart 30 of the rod 21 may be pointed for the purpose of piercing theblanket I1, after which the point may be cut on.

It is evident from Figs. 1 and 3 that an uncompressed part 36 of theouter blanket I8 is in alignment with the compressed part 31 of theinner blanket I1 and that an uncompressed part 39 of the inner blanketI1 is aligned with the compressed part 40 of the outer blanket I8,thereby eliminating an area wherein both blankets are compressedtogether, such as is commonly found in refrigerator cars.

Figs. 1 4 show an insulation blanket compressed between the post 5 andthe cleating part 2|. It is evident that the invention is equallyapplicable if any rigid wall member be used in place of the post whereinthe wall member might be a structural member, a nailing strip or eventhe sheathing in certain types of cars.

The rod 21 is shown and described as being in a depending positionvrelative to the cleating part 2|. The rod 21 may be described as beingdisposed laterally of the cleating part whether extending downwardly,upwardly or in a horizontal direction.

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 3 except that the rod 44 is mounted upon thewooden cleating part 2| in a somewhat different manner. The upper end ofthe rod 44 is bent (45) outwardly and inserted through a hole in thecleating part 2|, being held in position by a nut 41.

In Fig. 6, the cleating part is a wooden block similar to thatheretofore described and the supporting part 5I is an arm 53 dependingfrom the cleating part 50 and preferably secured thereto by the bolts 54which also secure the cleating part 58 to the post 5. The arm 53 may bemade of wood, metal or some type of insulating composition board, suchas that known by the trade name Masonite. The outer blanket I8 iscompressed by the cleating part 58 as hereinabove described and theinner blanket i1 may be secured to the depending arm 53 by a bolt 5Sinserted through the arm 53, a washer 51, and a nut 59 secured to thebolt 55 and arranged to compress the inner blanket I1.

In the modification shown in Fig. '7, the supporting member 82, which ispreferably made of wood, has spaced apart cleating parts 83, 63 securedto the outer post 5 by the bolts |55 and arranged to compress the outerinsulation blanket I8 between both cleating parts 53, S3 and the post 5.The supporting member 82 also comprises a supporting part 88 extendingbetween and connecting the cleating parts 63, 63 and spaced from thepost 5 a distance sufficient to leave a substantially uncompressed part68 of the outer insulation blanket I8 therebetween. The inner blanket I1is secured to the supporting part 65 preferably by a bolt 89 (or bolts)upon which are mounted a washer 1I and nut 12 for the purpose ofcompressing the insulation. It is evident in this modification that theouter blanket I8 is compressed at two parts 14, 14 thereof and has asubstantially uncompressed part, 68 therebetweengand that the innerblanket I1 has a compressed part 11 aligned with the uncompressed part68 of the outer blanket I8 and has uncompressed parts 18, 18 alignedwith the compressed parts of the outer blanket 14.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8, the supporting member 8|,preferably made of wood, is comprised of 'a cleating part 82 disposedadjacent the center thereof and secured to the outer post 5 by the bolts84, thereby compressing the outer blanket I8 between the cleating part82 and the post 5 to form a mounting means for the outer blanket I8. Themember 8| also comprises supporting parts 85, 85, both above and belowthe cleating part 82 and integrally formed therewith; the supportingparts 85, 85 are spaced from the outer'post 5 a sufficient distance toallow substantially uncompressed parts 81, 81 of the outer insulationblanket I8 to be disposed therebetween. The inner blanket -I1 isattached, preferably by bolts, washers and nuts as heretofore described,to both supporting parts 85, 85, thereby leaving an uncompressed part 88of the inner blanket I1 aligned with the compressed part 90 of the outerblanket I8.

Fig. 9 is a plan view through a wall substantially similar to that shownin Fig. 2. A cleating part 92, which in the form shown is a Wooden block93, is secured to an outer post 5 and arranged to compress the outerinsulation blanket I8 therebetween, thereby supporting said blanket.

The supporting part 95, preferably a strap, extends in a substantiallyhorizontal direction and has a part thereof disposed on each side of thecleating part 92. I'he supporting part 95 is preferably secured to thecleating part 92l by bolts other than the bolts which secure thecleating part 92 to the post 5 so as to prevent direct ow of heatbetween the supporting part 95 and the post 5. Cleats 98 disposed remotefrom the cleating part 92 are provided for the purpose of mounting theinner blanket Il upon the supporting part 95. A part 98 of the innerblanket I1 is uncompressed adjacent the cleating part 92 and preferablyprojects inwardly between adjacent nues G so as to maintain theuncompressed thickness of the blanket. The opposite'ends 99 of thesupporting part 95 are bent outwardly so as to compress other parts IGIof the outer blanket I8 between the end portions 99 of the supportingpart 95 and the outer sheathing 8. The structure shown in Fig. 9 isconsidered an improvement over those hereto-fore described in that theinsulation blankets I1, I8 are supported at a number of points in ahorizontal plane through the wall B whereas, in the modification shownin Fig. 1, the blankets Il, I8 are supported only adjacent the posts 5.

In the modification shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a piece extends betweenand is secured to the adjacent outer posts 5 so as to compress the outerinsulation blanket I8 therebetween and provide a support for saidblanket. Backing members |06 may be employed adjacent the posts 5 toincrease the bearing area in contact with the insulation blanketdisposed substantially midway between the posts 5, are provided for thepurpose of compressing the inner insulation blanket I'I and providing asupport therefor. It is pointed out that in this construction also, asin Fig. 9, the blankets I l, I8 may be supported at a number of pointsin a'. horizontal plane and also that the compressed parts of eachblanket are aligned with uncompressed parts of the other blanket.

Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 5 except that the rod u II2 which comprisesthe supporting part H3 is upstanding instead of depending. In thisposition some means, such as the forked member I I5 attached to the topof the cleating part IIS and arranged to straddle the rod II2, is usedto prevent the rod I I2 from swinging downwardly from the positionshown. Such a forked member may also be used in a construction as inFigs. 3 and 5 to add stability to the insulation supporting means.

Fig. 13 shows an adaptation of my invention to a refrigerator carwherein the main framing members of the car are disposed adjacent theinterior of the car. Such a car is shown in Winship Patent No. 2,182,652of December 5, 1939. In Fig. 13, the numeral IZB indicates the mainframe member or post ofthe car and the lining IZI is secured thereto.The supporting member IES comprises a cleating part I2@ secured by thebolts IZB to the main framing member I2!) and arranged to compress theinner insulation blanket II therebetween. The supporting part I2?comprises a rod IZB similar to that described in reference to Fig. 3which depends from the cleating part I2@ and has secured thereto by theusual means the outer insulation blanket I8.

While I have shown and described the insulation supporting means as asingle supporting member, it is to be understood that I contemplate theuse of a plurality of such members con- I8. Cleats |98, preferably saidblankets in alignment veniently located and arranged in a mannerdepending upon the particular design of car and type of insulation used.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of theinvention, though it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as itis obvious that various modifications thereof, within the scope of theclaims, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. In an insulated wall, a wall element forming part of the wall, aninsulation blanket adjacent thereto, a cleating member secured to saidWall element and arranged to compress said blanket therebetween; asecond insulation blanket disposed in flatwise relation with the rstmentioned blanket, a rod depending from said member, 'and means toattach said second blanket to the lower end of said rod.

2. In an insulated wall, a wall element forming part of the wallY a pairof flatwise interrelated insulation blankets and means to support saidblanket, said means comprising a member having aA cleating part and asupporting part disposed in unaligned relation, one of said blanketsbeing compressed between said cleating part and said wall element, andthe other of said blankets being compressed and'attached to saidsupporting part in unalignment with the compressed part of said firstmentioned blanket.

3. In an insulated wall, spaced apart wall elements forming part of thewall, a pair of atwise interrelated insulation blankets and means tosupport said blankets, said means comprising a piece extending betweenand secured to said Wall elements, one of said blankets being compressedbetween said piece and said wall elements, and the other of saidblankets being attached to said piece in unalignment with the compressedparts of the first mentioned blanket.

4. In an insulated wall, a wall element forming part of the wall, a pairof flatwise interrelated insulation blankets and supporting means forsaid blankets carried by said element, said supporting means arranged tocompress each of with an uncompressed part of the other blanket.

5. In an insulated wall including a wall element, a pair of atwiseinterrelated insulation blankets forming a part of said wall, a membercarried by said element, means to secure, thereby compressing, one ofsaid blankets to said member, and means unaligned with said firstmentioned means to secure, thereby compressing, the other of saidblankets to said member, the parts of each of said blankets aligned withthe compressed part of the other of said blankets being substantiallyuncompressed.

6. In an insulated wall, a wall element, an insulation blanket adjacentthereto; a supporting member carried by the wall element comprising acleating part, arranged to compress said blanket between said elementand said part, and a supporting part; a second insulation blanketdisposed in atwise relation with the rst mentioned blanket; and meansunaligned with the compressed portion of said first mentioned blanketfor securing said second mentioned blanket to said supporting part.

7. In an insulated wall, a wall element, an insulating blanket adjacentthereto; a supporting member carried by the wall element and comprisingspaced apart cleating parts arranged to compress said blanket betweensaid element and said parts, and a supporting part extending betweensaid cleating parts; a secondinsulating blanket disposed in ilatwiserelation with the rst mentioned blanket; and means unaligned with thecompressed portion of said ilrst mentioned blanket for securing saidsecond mentioned blanket to said supporting part.

8. In an insulated wall, a wall element, an insulating blanket adjacentthereto; a supporting member carried by the wall element and comprisinga cleating part arranged to compress said blanket between said elementand said part, and supporting parts; a second insulating blanketdisposed in ilatwise relation with the iirst mentioned blanket; andmeans unaligned with'the compressed portion of said iirst mentionedblanket for securing said second mentioned blanket to said supportingparts.

9. In an insulated Wall including a wall element; a pair of flatwiseinterrelated insulating blankets; and structure for supporting saidblankets, said structure comprising a member having unaligned cleatingand supporting parts carried by said wall element, blanket compressingmeans arranged to secure one of said blankets to said cleating part, andother blanket compressing means unaligned with the compressed portion ofsaid one of said blankets arranged to secure the other of said blanketsto said supporting part.

10. In an insulated wall including a Wall element; a pair of rlatwiseinterrelated insulating blankets; and structure for supporting saidblankets, said structure comprising an insulating member havingunaligned cleating and supporting parts carried by said wall element,blanket compressing means arranged to secure one of said blankets tosaidcleating part. and other blanket compressing means unaligned withthe compressed portion of said one of said blankets arranged to securethe otherof said blankets to said supporting part.

11. In an insulated wall including a wall element; a pair of atwiseinterrelated insulating blankets; and structure for supporting saidblankets, said structure comprising a member having unaligned cleatingand supporting parts carried by said wall element and disposed betweensaid blankets, blanket compressing means arranged to secure one of saidblankets to said cleating part, and other blanket compressing meansunaligned with the compressed portion of said one of said blanketsarranged to secure the other of said blankets to said supporting part.

12. In an insulated wall, spaced apart wall elements forming part of thewall, a pair of atwise interrelated insulating blankets and means tosupport said blankets, said means comprising a piece extending laterallyfrom one of said wall elements, one of said blankets being compressedbetween said piece and said last mentioned wall element, and the otherof said blankets being attached to said piece in unalignment with thecompressed portion of the rst mentioned blanket.

13. In an insulated wall, a wall element, an insulating blanket adjacentthereto; a supporting member carried by the wall element and comprisinga cleating part arranged to compress said blanket between said elementand said part, and a supporting part arranged in spaced relation to saidelement to provide a substantially uncompressed portion of said blankettherebetween; a second insulating blanket disposed in latwise relationwith the rst mentioned blanket; and means for securing said secondmentioned blanket to said supporting part.

14. In an insulated wall, a wall element, an insulating blanket adjacentthereto; a supporting member carried by the wall element and comprisinga cleating part arranged to compress said blanket between said elementand said part, and a supporting part disposed adjacent a substantiallyuncompressed portion of said blanket; a second insulating blanketdisposed in atwise relation with the first mentioned blanket; and meansfor securing said second mentioned blanket to said supporting part.

15. In an insulated Wall including a Wall element; a pair of atwiseinterrelated insulating blankets;'structure for supporting saidblankets, said structure comprising a member carried by said wallelement, and blanket compressing means arranged to secure each of saidblankets to said member in unaligned relation to the compressed portionof the other of said blankets.

KURT E. ZEIDLER.

